7 Blood Moon Rituals To Harness This Powerful Lunar Energy
If you’re into working with the lunar phases and celebrating with new and full moon rituals, you may have come across the term blood moon. But what exactly is a blood moon, and how does a blood moon ritual differ from a regular moon ritual?
In this post, I’ll explain the physical and spiritual meaning of a blood moon, along with 7 simple rituals to try either at home or in a sacred circle with your sisters and harness this powerful lunar energy.
What is a blood moon?
A blood moon is also known as a total lunar eclipse. It only happens around one or two times each year and is only ever visible in one of the hemispheres, never both simultaneously. This is what makes it quite rare and special.
It’s called a “blood” moon because the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon in the sky, and when the full moon is in Earth’s shadow, it causes the moon to appear a deep shade of red.
The spiritual meaning of the blood moon
The full moon is one of the most potent, high-energy moon phases. It invites us to meet our shadows, expand, and celebrate. But a blood moon is like a supercharged full moon.
It’s common for you to experience life-altering events surrounding the 4-6 weeks after. Eclipses allow us to reach a higher level of consciousness, stir up our emotions, and encourage us to let go of anything that feels heavy, anything we have outgrown.
Super flower blood moon spiritual meaning
A super moon is when a full moon occurs at the closest point to Earth in its orbit, which makes it appear bigger in the sky.
The flower moon is the name given to May’s full moon because nature is in full bloom at this time in the year, flowers can be seen all around, and life is thriving. May is also when we celebrate Beltane, a fertility and abundance festival.
So a super flower blood moon can only occur on the May full moon, and only if it also happens to be a lunar eclipse.
A full moon is known for heightening emotions and making us feel all the feels. And when the full moon is illuminating bigger and brighter in the sky, this is magnified. Combine this with the eclipse, and you’re likely to have an interesting moon ahead filled with intuitive wisdom, change, and growth.
What is a blood moon ritual?
A blood moon ritual is similar to a full moon ritual but designed to specifically help you work with the energy of the blood moon.
Here are some simple rituals for you to try at home, or in sacred circle.
I always recommend cleansing your space before any ritual or spell work. This helps to clear away stagnant energy and gives you a fresh reset that will be conducive to making magic.
7 Simple blood moon rituals
1. Candle carving ritual
This is a simple blood moon ritual to try if you want to release something and enjoy getting crafty!
You will need:
- A cleansing tool (herbs, essential oils, or a singing bowl)
- An unused white candle
- A lighter or matches
- A tool to carve your candle
How to do it:
Gather your tools and begin by cleansing the space you’re in. You might choose to burn some herbs (sage, palo santo, lavender, etc.), pop some essential oils into a diffuser, or by chiming a singing bowl.
As you cleanse the room and yourself, visualize all that’s heavy and negative being washed away. Feel your space being purified and a bubble of protection around you.
Next, sit or lie down and meditate for a short while. Focus on your breathing. Place your hands at your heart space and tap into a vibration of love. You might want to repeat a self-love affirmation, something simple like, “I love myself.”
Now it’s time to pick up your candle and start etching it. Carve in words and symbols of everything you want to let go of this blood moon. When you’re done, light your candle. Take some time to sit and watch the flame and visualize all the things you wish to release burning away.
To close your ritual, place your hands back over your heart space (you might want to have them in a prayer position) and give thanks or express gratitude for this blood moon ritual and this moment.
If it’s safe to do so, leave the candle lit to burn down and extinguish itself. But otherwise, blow it out.
2. Fire & ash blood moon ritual
If you need to flex your forgiveness muscle, heal past wounds and finally move on from something (or someone), this is the blood moon ritual for you.
You will need:
- A cleansing tool (herbs, essential oils, or a singing bowl)
- A source of fire (an open fire in your house, a cauldron, a bonfire, or a lit candle)
- A piece of paper
- A pen
How to do it:
If you’re using herbs to cleanse your space, you can light your fire and then add these straight into the flames to purify the air. Otherwise, do your cleansing ritual as normal, then light your fire.
Take some time and let your eyes dance with the flames. Write down all your current fears, anxieties, and wounds on your paper. Think about how much less power these hold over you when you can see them written down in front of you.
When you’re ready, rip your piece of paper up and throw it into the fire. If you’re using a candle, gently trickle the fragments into the flame or set alight to the whole piece of paper and burn it in one go. As the paper burns, visualize your fears, wounds, and trauma leaving you.
Repeat an affirmation to yourself like, “I am cleansed, and I am free.”
You might want to sit here for longer, meditate, or say a prayer.
3. A ritual for new beginnings
If you’re ready to close an old chapter and embark on a beautiful new one, this blood moon ritual will help you get emotionally and spiritually prepared to welcome in the new.
You will need:
- A cleansing tool (herbs, essential oils, or a singing bowl)
- A crystal for good luck and positive energy (such as Jade, Green Aventurine, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, or Clear Quartz)
- A yellow candle
How to do it:
Collect your tools and cleanse your space. Light your candle.
Pick up your chosen crystal and hold it near your heart (you can do this lying down if you want and rest it there). Close your eyes and visualize your new intentions and wildest dreams as if they have already manifested. What can you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste? Who are you with? Let your mind get carried away and sink into this vivid daydream for at least ten minutes.
When you’ve completed your visualization, repeat the following words to yourself:
“Everything I need is within me. Joy, beauty, and abundance surround me. This is the beginning of something incredible.”
Let your candle burn through to the end. Carry this crystal with you, or place it on your altar as a source of luck and positive energy.
4. A protection blood moon ritual
If you’re going through a turbulent time in your life and things feel a little stressful or uncertain, this blood moon ritual will help you feel safe and put your mind, body, and spirit at ease.
You will need:
- A cleansing tool (herbs, essential oils, or a singing bowl)
- A black candle
- A protective crystal (such as Tourmaline, Onyx, Smokey Quartz, or Hematite)
- A bowl of water
How to do it:
If you can do this whole ritual outside in comfort, do so. If not, pop your bowl of water outside (if possible) and leave your crystal to soak under the blood moon. Just make sure it’s suitable to be submerged in water!
Light your candle. Conjure a memory, feeling, or person that makes you feel safe. Bask in this feeling. Know that there is nothing that can harm you in this moment. Your spirit guides are here protecting you, and luna is watching over you too.
You might want to sit cross-legged or lie down on the earth. Give yourself permission to take up plenty of space and be seen. Feel held as the ground supports you.
Repeat the following words: “May I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be safe, may I be at peace.”
Leave your crystal to soak and charge for at least the duration of the lunar eclipse or overnight under the full moon. This crystal will now be a strong, protective force. Place it at the front of your home, next to your bed, or on your altar. You can also use this powerful, supercharged moon water to protect you. Anoint yourself with it on your third eye, heart, and wrists. Add it to your next bath ritual.
Leave the candle to burn all the way through.
Close your ritual however you would like.
5. Calming blood moon ritual
If you’re looking for more peace, serenity, and tranquil vibes in your life, this calming blood moon ritual will soothe your mind and soul. Do it right before bed.
You will need:
- A cleansing tool (herbs, essential oils, or a singing bowl)
- 1-2 tsp of carrier oil (coconut, almond, olive, jojoba)
- A few drops of your favorite essential oil(s)
- A cup of whatever you like to drink (plant-based is preferable)
How to do it:
Mix your carrier oil with your essential oil in a small bowl. Cleanse your space however you would like to, and visualize anything that no longer serves you being banished. Pour loving thoughts and energy into your oil.
Get comfortable, close your eyes and settle into a short meditation. You can pop on a calming, guided one if you like. Make peace your intention. Sit here for as long as you want.
When you feel your meditation is complete, start rubbing your oil blend onto your heart space in a gentle, soothing, circular motion. Call on your guides, the Universe, and your higher self to help you release anything that is causing you anxiety.
Next, take some more oil and gently rub your third eye chakra center (between your eyebrows). Offer yourself love and compassion while you do this. Tell yourself what an amazing job you’re doing, celebrate all you’ve accomplished, and be kind to yourself.
Take another dab of oil and rub this gently on your belly in a way that feels soothing for you. Repeat an affirmation like, “I am nourished,” or whatever feels right for you in the moment.
When you’re done, take a sip of your drink. Notice any thoughts or emotions arising. Give thanks for this ritual and close it however you like.
6. Make lunar eclipse water
I’ve already touched on how to make eclipse water in one of the earlier blood moon rituals, but this can be a whole ritual in itself. If you have a lot of water signs in your birth chart (like me), you might find yourself leaning more toward this ritual.
Remember, you can make moon water any time there’s a full moon, and this water will be magical. But doing it on a lunar eclipse can supercharge your moon water and take it to new heights!
You will need:
- A cleansing tool (herbs, essential oils, or a singing bowl)
- A large bowl
- An airtight container or mason jar
- Tap or filtered water
How to do it:
Cleanse your space before you get started. Fill your bowl with water, set it outside when the lunar eclipse begins, and leave it until it’s finished, or overnight. While it’s out there bathing in the moonlight, set an intention for the water, whatever you desire most.
And that’s it!
Collect your water when you’re ready, use it immediately, or transfer it into an airtight container or mason jar. Your water will be infused with positive energy, and you can use it for months after the eclipse.
How to use it:
- Take a bath with it
- Anoint yourself with it
- Water your plants
- Add it to a glass of water, tea, coffee, or something else
- Mix it into a cocktail to make a magical elixir and prevent a hangover!
- Bake with it
- Pour some into a pet’s water bowl or feeder if they’re ill
7. Have a blood moon bath ritual
There’s something so nourishing and restorative about relaxing in a hand-poured bath. This is one of my favorite things to do as a new or full moon ritual. If you need some self-care and have been giving a lot of your energy away lately, this is the perfect blood moon ritual.
You will need:
- A cleansing tool (herbs, essential oils, or a singing bowl)
- A mix of salts, essential oils, flowers, herbs, and fruits
- Candles
- A homemade bath tea (optional)
- Eclipse charged water (optional)
- A crystal that magnifies your intention (optional)
How to do it:
If you plan on adding eclipse water to your bath, remember to put your bowl out a few hours before you want to take your bath. But this is not a must-have for this bathing ritual.
Cleanse your space however you want to, and give your tub a good clean. I like to shower, so I feel fully cleansed before getting into the bath.
Run the bath water and add your bath tea or choice of ingredients. If you’re using eclipse water and a crystal, add those now.
Turn off the artificial lights and light your candles. Pop on some spa-like music in the background if that creates a more relaxing vibe for you (it does for me).
Now you’re ready to get in!
As you soak in the water, think about what you want to let go of that is no longer serving you. Visualize yourself cutting the energetic cord.
Next, think about what you’re grateful for in your life. All that’s good, even if it’s something small like a roof over your head, the time and space to do this ritual, your healthy body, etc.
This is also a great time to close your eyes and tune into your intuition. Are there any messages your higher self wants to give you? What do you need to know as you move forward and into your next chapter?
Stay here as long as you like (or until the water goes cold!)
Ready to make magic tonight?
I hope this post has helped clarify what a blood moon is, what it symbolizes spiritually, and how to harness the potent lunar energy of a total eclipse.
Remember to trust your inner guidance when doing any kind of ritual. Use the examples above as a starting point but don’t be afraid to mix and match and take and leave what you want. The most important thing is that your ritual feels authentic and sacred to you because this will help you release and manifest.
I’d love to know what the last blood moon stirred up for you and how will you celebrate the coming one?
Share your story in the comments below!